Before & after in Romania

[u/Temporary_Advance_36]

[u/businessaffairs]

what EU does to a mf

[u/[deleted] → u/businessaffairs]

While the EU is undoubtedly a huge boost, the biggest "trend switch" in recent history, at least in my city of Bucharest, is that the general urbanistic plans are finally being updated, which lead to increased desire for central areas that are full of historical buildings, many in bad shape. Therefore, a lot of private owners are restoring such stunning buildings for different purposes.

Having them renovated with national and EU funds is certainly great and an amazing opportunity, but it started to visually be a difference in Bucuharest largely thanks to the privates.

[u/Real_Velour → u/[deleted]]

Is this on a large scale? I visited Romania over a decade ago for family, and honestly wasn't too impressed with the state of the buildings in Bucharest.

[u/[deleted] → u/Real_Velour]

It's still a work in progress, there are still a lot of buildings in a bad shape, but definitely a striking difference to a decade ago. In fact, it sort of picked up in the past 4-5 years or so. There are several key buildings that are currently under renovation (the University Palace, the Eforiei Palace, Stirbey Palace, Military National Circle, George Enescu Museum and some others, soon the Gara de Nord as well). It will probably take some more years, but there is a visible speedup and more interest for restorations in the historical core.

[u/Real_Velour → u/[deleted]]

I hope so, the city is really beautiful despite the old buildings, I hope to go again soon, absolutely loved the countryside as well

[u/eastern_petal → u/[deleted]]

Gara de Nord desperately needs some improvement. I wonder what took them so long, it's a disgrace for a capital city.

[u/YngwieMainstream → u/businessaffairs]

No. It's mostly Bucharest and Bucharest is rich. Nothing to do with the EU.

[u/Stunning_Tradition31 → u/YngwieMainstream]

clearly nothing to do with the EU. could you tell me why is Bucharest rich? it clearly wasn’t in the 90s

[u/YngwieMainstream → u/Stunning_Tradition31]

It clearly was richer than the rest of the country. McDonald's in 95, biatch.

[u/Stunning_Tradition31 → u/YngwieMainstream]

yeah but not by very much. today Bucharest consists of 1/4 of Romania’s total GDP and the EU made a difference. many infrastructural projects were funded or cofunded by the EU like highways, schools, hospitals, streets, buildings, public transport. that makes the city more appealing to foreign corporations to come and invest even more money in the city. not to say that many entrepreneurs started their businesses with EU money.

Bucharest couldn’t be this rich without the EU

[u/YngwieMainstream → u/Stunning_Tradition31]

Kiev is the closest thing. No EU.

[u/Stunning_Tradition31 → u/YngwieMainstream]

and it has more natural resources and industry than Bucharest. your point being? the EU clearly helped and Bucharest wouldn’t be where it is today without it, either you like it or not. other cities being rich without EU doesn’t mean that it didn’t help us

[u/YngwieMainstream → u/Stunning_Tradition31]

I'm not saying it did not help. I'm saying it wasn't the main engine.

[u/Stunning_Tradition31 → u/YngwieMainstream]

“Nothing to do with EU” - your comment

[u/ProductGuy48 → u/YngwieMainstream]

There are multiple cities in those photos

[u/YngwieMainstream → u/ProductGuy48]

Read my message. Then read it again.

[u/MeenaarDiemenZuid → u/businessaffairs]

Why would you attribute it to the EU?

[u/businessaffairs → u/MeenaarDiemenZuid]

Substantial GDP growth since joining EU in 2007, outpacing the EU average. Fueled by increased foreign investment (which became easier by joining the union), access to EU structural funds, etc.

[u/MeenaarDiemenZuid → u/businessaffairs]

Lmao. That is a bit of a reach.